Pilots Archives - �鶹��

DARS (Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services) 2022 Drone Camp

Kristyn Damadeo — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 14:49:41 +0000

The �鶹��’s GeoTEd-UAS program teamed up with the Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC [formerly Thomas Nelson CC]) in partnership with Virginia’s Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) to conduct two drone camps focused on special needs students from area high schools in Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg/James City County. The camps explored career preparation and applications in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS [aka drones]). Students were taught important safety and regulatory practices for drone operators, as well as the basics of flying drones. Students even earned their FAA TRUST certificates for recreational flyers and received their own drone. During each camp, students flew small drones inside through an obstacle course, and larger drones outside on VPCC’s campus, and during a trip to Anderson Park in Newport News arranged by John Lesko (GIS/UAS Specialist, Newport News, VA). On the last day of each camp, students took a field trip to Nauticus (Norfolk, VA) to see the museum’s current drone exhibit, fly drones in their ‘Drone Zone,’ and crawl over the decks of the USS Wisconsin.

“This was a great experience for our students,” said Sherry Hildebrandt, HCS transition specialist. “Both camps helped students gain self-confidence while learning additional life and vocational skills.” VPCC Professor Julie Young said, “One of the students said ‘it was the best week of his life,’ and that was priceless!”

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2020 Pathways Flight Academies

Kristyn Damadeo — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 20:02:14 +0000

Are you a high school student interested in becoming a commercial airline pilot?

Now in its second year, the Pathways Flight Academies immerse students in learning to fly as a first step to becoming a commercial pilot. Five, twelve-day residential academies will be offered during the summer of 2020 for selected students who have shown an interest in and passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (�鶹��) and have career aspirations to become a commercial pilot.

Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA, be U.S. citizens, Virginia residents and 16 years old by the start of the Academy. They must also be able to pass an FAA flight physical exam.

For more information visit the Pathways or download the and

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Pathways Flight Academies

Kristyn Damadeo — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 17:58:11 +0000

Do you have dreams of one day becoming a commercial airline pilot and traveling the
world? The �鶹�� (VSGC), in partnership with the
Commonwealth of Virginia, Liberty University, Averett University and the Virginia
Department of Aviation, is offering flight academies at no cost for high school students
statewide.

The Pathways Flight Academies will immerse students in learning to fly while discovering
the range of exciting aviation career opportunities available. Four, two-week
residential academies will be offered during the summer of 2019 for selected students
who have shown an interest in and passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, or
Math (�鶹��), and have career aspirations to become a pilot. Students admitted to this
intensive program will undertake ground school and flight training that can culminate in
their first solo flight at the end of the academy!

Read the press release

Visit the Pathways Flight Academies website

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